Devon Conway’s knock of 80 and Will Young’s 82 put New Zealand in the box seat of second Test against England at Edgbaston

It was New Zealand’s day on the second day at Edgbaston after useful knocks from Devon Conway and Will Young put the tourists in a strong position.

England innings came to and end within the first session on 303, with Dan Lawrence the only remaining batsmen.

Resuming on their overnight score of 258-7, Lawrence was eying up a maiden Test century, but needed support from the tailenders if he was to do so.

Mark Wood offered plenty of entertainment for the Edgbaston faithful and looked as if he would get an unlikely half century until he was bowled by Matt Henry for 41.

Stuart Broad came in but added no runs to England’s total as he was caught behind by Tom Blundell.

James Anderson was the last man in and the needed to stick around if Lawrence was to fire himself to a century.

It was not to be unfortunately as Anderson made just four before he was out lbw from Trent Boult to leave Lawrence stranded on 81 not out.

This meant England’s innings had come to an end on 303 all out, putting them in a much better position from when they had looked to be collapsing catastrophically.

New Zealand start their first innings at Edgbaston

Broad then made the breakthrough for England inside six overs as he trapped Tom Latham dead in front on the pads, giving the umpires an easy decision to dismiss the New Zealand opener.

Conway, fresh from his blistering double century at Lord’s continued from where he left off, and along with Young the pair got the tourists through to the lunch break at 43-1.

The pair continued to pile on the runs as they put together a 100 run+ partnership and were looking comfortable at the crease.

England finally found the breakthrough they were after as Conway fired a shot straight down the throat of Zak Crawley to dismiss him for a well-made 80.

Young then fired himself to a maiden Test 50, surpassing his top score in the process to push New Zealand closer to England’s total.

Ross Taylor was then given out by umpire Michael Gough, but a late review from the Kiwi batsman showed the ball was missing leg stump by quite a way and the decision was reversed.

Just when it looked as if New Zealand would bat out the day, England struck through an unlikely source.

Lawrence was bought on in the final over of the day with his part time off break and picked up the crucial wicket of Young who fell after playing superbly for 82, which also saw the end of the days play.

New Zealand ended the day 229-3, and in a very good position being only 74 runs being England with plenty of batting still to come.

By Josh Mann